Sashless window structure of vertical sliding panel type



SASHLESS WINDOW STRUCTURE OF VERTICAL SLIDING PANEL TYPE Filed Feb. 5, 1962 April 28, 19 R. MIGNEAULT' ETAL 2 Sheets-Sheet l PATENT AGENT April 1964 R. MIGNEAULT ETAL 3,130,456

SASHLESS WINDOW STRUCTURE OF VERTICAL SLIDING PANEL TYPE Filed Feb. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -77 ins 52 "1&1

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5 4 INVEN OR PATENT AGEN T United States Patent 3,135,456 SASHLESS WrNEQW STRUCTURE 0F VERTECAL SLIDENG PANEL TYPE Romuald Migneanit and Eernand W. Migneanlt, both of 332 St. Andre, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Filed Feb. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 171,039 3 Claims. (Cl. 2952) This invention relates to sashless window structures of vertical sliding panel type.

Sashless windows are in widespread use in domestic dwellings largely because of their simplicity of structure, low cost of manufacture, and effectiveness in use. Such windows as presently in use are largely, if not entirely, of the horizontal sliding panel type. While, under many circumstances, a sashless window of vertical sliding panel type would be preferred, there is not readily available a window of this type suitable for general practical use in domestic dwellings, largely because, it is believed, of complications of structure usually associated with windows of this type, with resulting increased cost and lack of effectiveness in use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sashless window of the vertical sliding panel type which is of convenient and low cost manufacture, which is easy to install, which is weatherproof in use, and which is subject to easy adjustment and handling of the glass panels therein.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is an interior elevation of a window in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a section on line 22 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a section on line 33 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a section on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a jamb track member,

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a headpiece track member,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a portion of an accessory track member,

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional side elevation of the window,

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional view of a lower glass panel illustrating a lift ng and locking mechanism,

FIGURE 10 is a partial front elevation of a lower glass panel also illustrating the lifting and locking mechanism, and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of jamb track member.

In the drawing, 1 is a frame, preferably of wood, having a sill 2, jambs 3, and headpiece 4. The structure shown is of double window type, i.e., it has upper and lower outer sashless glass panels 5 and 6 and upper and lower inner sashless glass panels 7 and 8.

Each of the lower panels 6 and 8 is mounted in the frame for vertical sliding movement with respect to the upper panel. In the closed position of each panel 6 and 8, each pair of panels 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 have an overlapping area A in the midsection of the window. Since the mounting and arrangement of the two window sections are substantially identical, only the inner section will be described in detail.

The panels are mounted in jamb track members 9 preferably formed of plastic composition. Each member 9 has a flat base 10 with a flat exterior surface 11A for engagement with the jamb 3. A simple means of anchoring the members 9 on the jarnbs comprises a pair of legs 11 extending angularly from the base 10 and in angular rela- 3,139,455 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 tion to each other. The legs 11 extend from end to end of each member 9. For desirable anchoring effectiveness, it is preferred that they be of an angle of approximately 45 (as shown) to each other. It will be apparent that, with the sill and headpiece removed, each member 9 may be slid into place in the jamb which has a V-shaped groove 17 to receive the legs 11.

Each member 9 has a channel-shaped cross-section as provided by a forward wall 12 and an opposed rearward wall 13. In each member 9, the rearward wall 13 extends from end to end of the member, i.e., from sill to headpiece. In one member, however, the forward wall 12 extends from sill to headpiece but in the opposite member, the wall 12 extends from the sill but terminates at 14 somewhat below the horizontal midsection and panel-overlapping area A of the window. Thus, the upper portion of the latter member has an L-shaped cross-section as formed by the base 10 and rearward wall 13 (FIG- URE 2).

The base 10, Walls 12 and 13, and anchoring legs 11 of each member 9 are preferably of unitary or one-piece form for ease of production as a plastic extrusion (see FIGURE 5).

Each rearward wall 13 has a T-shaped groove 15 in the interior face therof, such groove extending from end to end of the member.

An adapter strip 16 also of plastic composition has on one face thereof a T-shaped rib 18 of complementary size and shape to groove 15 and on its opposite face a T-shaped groove 19 of approximately the same size and shape as groove 15. An adapter strip 16 is mounted in each member 9 by inserting its rib 18 into the groove 15 and sliding the strip along the wall 13. One end of strip 16 is arranged to seat on the sill and the other end terminates at 19a in the midsection of the window to form a seat for the lower edge of the upper panel 5 or 7 (FIGURE 8). The adapter strip 16 has a width approximately equal to the height of wall 13. Thus, one edge of the strip engages base 10 and the other edge is approximately flush with the edge of wall 13.

The headpiece 4 has a groove 20 for anchoring therein of a channel member 21, also preferably of plastic extrusion form. Member 21 has a pair of locking ribs 22 for reception in recesses 23 in the headpiece. Member 21 has a base 24, a rearward wall 25 and a forward wall 26. Rearward wall 25 has in its interior face a T-shaped groove 27 of approximately the same size and shape as groove 15. Forward wall 26 has an inclined interior face 28. A strip 29 of any suitable insulation such as soft rubber or the like is seated in groove 27 and extends from end to end of the headpiece. It will be observed (FIG- URE 4) that the edge portion of the upper panel 5 or '7 is received between walls 25 and 26 with the edge seated on the base 24. On insertion of the panel, the inclined face 28 tends to urge the panel into firm and sealing engagement with the insulation strip 29, the inner corner of the panel in the fully seated position thereof approximately coinciding with the juncture line of the face 28 and base 24.

Strips of insulation 29 are also anchored in the exposed grooves 15 in the members 9 in the upper section of the Window for sealing contact by the edge portions of panel 5 or 7 (FIGURE 2).

Strips of insulation 29 are also anchored in the exposed grooves 19 of the adapter strips 16 in the lower section of the window for sealing engagement by the edge portions of panel 6 or 8 (FIGURE 3).

Thus, the window panels are provided with a simple sue e-e and effective weatherproofing means in association with the panel supporting and retaining elements.

Means for imparting vertical sliding movement to the lower panel 6 or 8 and for retaining such panel in selected open positions comprises (see FIGURES 9 and 10) a channel 39, of metal, plastic or the like, adhesively or otherwise mounted on the lower edge portion of panels 6 and 8. Channel 30 extends preferably from edge to edge of the panel and has a forwardly projecting flange 31 for manual engagement. The lower edge of the channel has a groove 32 therein for reception of a resilient weatherproofing strip 33 which is engageable with the sill 2. A latch 34 is siidahly mounted in each end of a housing 35 carried by the channel, each such latch having a handle 36 at its inner end and a projectable end 37 for reception in any one of a series of notches 33 in forward wall 12 of a member 9. Each notch has a horizontal shoulder 39 for engagement by the lower edge of the latch and a curved edge portion 46) extending upwardly from the shoulder. A spring 42 urges the latch outwardly. A lowermost notch 41 has parallel upper and lower edges to form a dead lock for the panel when in closed position.

Means are provided for holding each pair of panels in snug overlapping engagement especially in the closed position of the panels. Such means comprises, as shown, a resilient pressure applying device 43 mounted on each sill. Each device 43 comprises a housing 44, a bracket 45 slidably mounted in the housing, a roller 46 carried by the bracket, and a spring 47 urging the bracket and roller towards a lower panel 6 or S. The roller 46 engages a panel 6 or 8 and applies resilient pressure thereon at a point slightly below the overlapping area A. The forward wall 12 of one member 9 is recessed at 48 to permit passage of one roller. The roller of the other device 43 is located just above the terminating end of forward wall 12 of the other member 9.

Means are provided for slightly separating the lower panel e or 8 from the upper panel 5 or 7 during upward opening movement of panel 6 or 8. Such means may comprise a pair of dividers 49 mounted on the edge portions of upper panels 5 and 7 closely adjacent to the upper edge of panel 6 or 8 in the closed position thereof. Each divider 49 may be of the type described in our prior Patent No. 3,015,134, granted January 2, 1962.

One of the jambs 3 is provided with a vertical groove 50 extending from the headpiece 4 to a point slightly below the lower edges of the upper panels 5 and 7 and lying between the upper panels 5 and 7. The groove has a depth approximately equal to or slightly more than the height of walls 12 or 13 of the members 9.

Each of the four panels 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the window described are readily removable from the frame for cleaning or replacement. The panels may be removed in order. Panel 5 is slid upwardly until its lower edge passes the terminating end 14 of the one wall 12 when the panel may be swung outwardly from the adjoining member 9 and then moved laterally out of the other channel member 9. With removal of panel 5, panel 6 is now free to be removed from its seats 19 in the same manner.

Upper panel 7 when in lowered position is now moved upwardly until it passes the terminating end 14 of the adjacent wall 12. Panel 7 is then swung forwardly out of the adjoining member 9 and moved laterally into the groove 54). This movement frees the other edge portion of panel 7 for swinging movement forwardly past the forward members 9 and removal from the window frame. The other panel 8 is removed in similar manner.

Another important feature of the window structure described is the simple, elfective, and complete weatherstripping means which is incorporated in the structure.

FIGURE 11 illustrates a modified form of anchoring means for the jamb track members 9. As shown, each member has a longitudinal tongue or rib 51 on its jambengaging surface, such tongue having serrations or teeth 52 on its side walls. The tongue 51 is adapted to be pressed into snug engagement with the walls of a groove 53 in the jamb.

A screen 54 may be suitably associated With the assembly. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, one jamb 3 has a groove 55 and the other jamb 3 has a groove 56 of slightly greater (say one-quarter inch) depth than groove 55. Mounted on the inner wall of groove 56 is a flat spring 57. It will be apparent that one side of the screen frame is first inserted into groove 56 and pushed into the same against the spring 57 until the other side of the screen frame is free to enter groove 55.

We clahn:

1. A sashless window structure comprising a frame having a sill, headpiece, and jambs, an inner and an outer window each comprising a unitary panel track member fixed to each said jamb and extending from said sill to said headpiece, each said member having a base seated on said jamb, a forward wall in perpendicular relation to said jamb, and a rearward wall in opposed spaced relation to said forward wall, said walls having confronting surfaces, each said rearward wall confronting surface having a longitudinally disposed undercut groove therein extending from end to end thereof, an adapter strip mounted in each said track member and having a rib seated in said groove, a lower end surface seated on said sill, and an upper end surface constituting a seat extending forwardly from said rearward wall, said seats being in opposed relation, the forward Wall of one of said members terminating between said seat and said sill, an upper glass panel seated on said seats, a lower glass panel seated on said sill, a sealing strip seated in each said groove and extending from said seat to said headpiece, said sealing strips being in engagement with said upper glass panel, each said adapter strip having a face confronting said forward wall face and a groove in said strip face, and a sealing strip seated in each said last-mentioned groove and extending from said sill to said seat, said last-mentioned sealing strips being in engagement with said lower glass panel, one of said jambs having a groove therein disposed between said inner and outer windows and extending from a point disposed substantially in the plane of said seats to said headpiece, said groove having a depth at least approximately the height of said forward wall, so that the panels may be inserted in this groove and then removed from the frame.

2. A sashless window structure comprising a frame having a sill, headpiece, and jambs, an inner and an outer window each comprising a unitary panel track member fixed to each said jarnb and extending from said sill to said headpiece, each said member having'a base seated on said jamb, a forward wall in perpendicular relation to said jamb, and a rearward wall in opposed spaced relation to said forward wall, said walls having confronting surfaces for reception of glass panels therebetween, each said rearward wall confronting surface having a longitudinally disposed undercut groove therein extending from end to end thereof, an adapter strip mounted in'each said track member and having a rib seated in said groove, 8. lower end surface seated on said sill, and an upper end surface constituting an upper glass panel seat extending forwardly from said rearward wall, said seats being in opposed relation, the forward wall of one of said members terminating between said seat and said sill, a panel-engageable sealing strip seated in each said groove and extending from said seat to said headpiece, each said adapter strip having a face confronting said forward wall face and a groove in said strip face, and a panel-engageable sealing strip seated in each said last-mentioned groove and extending from said sill to said seat.

3. A sashless window structure as defined in claim 2, one of said jambs having a groove therein disposed between said inner and outer windows and extending from a point disposed substantially in the plane of said seats to said headpiece, said groove having a depth at least ap- 5 6 proximately the height of said forward wall, so that the 2,563,511 Beymer Aug. 7, 1951 panels may be inserted in this groove and then removed 2,815,544 Roos Dec. 10, 1957 from the frame. 2,877,511 Viola Mar. 17, 1959 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 3O29 Henmges 1962 UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 2,345,273 Macklanburg Mar. 28, 1944 481,444 Canada Mar. 4, 1952 9 antZ Nov. 4, 1947 50 ,082 Canada July 6, 1954 

2. A SASHLESS WINDOW STRUCTURE COMPRISING A FRAME HAVING A SILL, HEADPIECE, AND JAMBS, AN INNER AND AN OUTER WINDOW EACH COMPRISING A UNITARY PANEL TRACK MEMBER FIXED TO EACH SAID JAMB AND EXTENDING FROM SAID SILL TO SAID HEADPIECE, EACH SAID MEMBER HAVING A BASE SEATED ON SAID JAMB, A FORWARD WALL IN PERPENDICULAR RELATION TO SAID JAMB, AND A REARWARD WALL IN OPPOSED SPACED RELATION TO SAID FORWARD WALL, SAID WALLS HAVING CONFRONTING SURFACES FOR RECEPTION OF GLASS PANELS THEREBETWEEN, EACH SAID REARWARD WALL CONFRONTING SURFACE HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED UNDERCUT GROOVE THEREIN EXTENDING FROM END TO END THEREOF, AN ADAPTER STRIP MOUNTED IN EACH SAID TRACK MEMBER AND HAVING A RIB SEATED IN SAID GROOVE, A LOWER END SURFACE SEATED ON SAID SILL, AND AN UPPER END SURFACE CONSTITUTING AN UPPER GLASS PANEL SEAT EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID REARWARD WALL, SAID SEATS BEING IN OPPOSED RELATION, THE FORWARD WALL OF ONE OF SAID MEMBERS TERMINATING BETWEEN SAID SEAT AND SAID SILL, A PANEL-ENGAGEABLE SEALING STRIP SEATED IN EACH SAID GROOVE AND EXTENDING FROM SAID SEAT TO SAID HEADPIECE, EACH SAID ADAPTER STRIP HAVING A FACE CONFRONTING SAID FORWARD WALL FACE AND A GROOVE IN SAID STRIP FACE, AND A PANEL-ENGAGEABLE SEALING STRIP SEATED IN EACH SAID LAST-MENTIONED GROOVE AND EXTENDING FROM SAID SILL TO SAID SEAT. 